SUV Review: 2011 Nissan Juke Sport Cross

2011 Nissan Juke Sport Cross

PHOTO: Howard J. Elmer, National Post

Sporty, functional and fun too

By Howard J. Elmer, Postmedia News

Originally published: August 19, 2010

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Vancouver • Nissan’s newest five-door is being called a Sport Cross — another new segment within a segment that’s getting sliced thinner all the time. But I understand Nissan’s quest for a suitable tag to hang on the all new Juke.

The name alone gives no indication of what it is, so a descriptive segment title is important. According to Nissan, the 2011 Juke combines the best qualities of a sporty sedan and the functionality of an SUV — hence, Sport Cross. I’ll just call it fun.

And fun is what driving this zippy little urban scrambler is. Here on the Sunshine Coast of BC, the Juke revealed its inner skateboarder to me and, apart from wanting to tell it to pull its pants up, I liked it.

This little five-door hatchback is what all five-door hatchbacks are — practical; but that’s where the comparison ends. From practical, the Juke takes a hard left turn toward quirky and stylish. The front end is what catches the eye first with its massive turn signals folded into the front fenders and headlights pulled so far back the car looks like it’s grinning.

A high beltline and sheetmetal creases around the wheelwells are pronounced — almost defiant. Styling cues of note are the integrated roof spoiler and the hidden rear door handles.

Inside, the centre console is said to have been inspired by a motorcycle fuel tank. It’s striking. Finished in gloss automotive paint, it surrounds the sports car-like gear shifter and the inevitable cupholders. This feature nicely splits the cabin and the bolstered two-tone cloth seats (leather is optional). Door panel inserts bookend the colour and material scheme. It’s a pleasing cohesive look and thank goodness for the death of grey plastic!

Even the ample dash is a pebbled soft-touch material. Powering the Juke is a standard 1.6-litre Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG)

Turbo. This aluminum-alloy in-line four-cylinder engine makes 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This is the first use of this engine in North America. While it’s zippy, it’s not a street racer. But it seems Nissan’s concern may have leaned more toward fuel economy — and it does have that.

This is the only engine offered, regardless of trim level. Thankfully, a nice six-speed manual gearbox is offered with the front-wheel-drive-only models, while the automatic is Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

Driving the Juke attracts a lot of attention. I saw heads swivelling all day — young and old.

However, I question the sense of shoehorning another model into a lineup that already boasts the Murano and the Cube. Won’t Nissan buyers simply be conflicted about what level of quirky they want? Not according to the company. But I suspect this release has more to do with a slight repositioning of the brand.

The price of the Juke will start at a few dollars less than $20,000. There’s considerable value there, but this entry-level vehicle is a FWD-only setup.

The all-wheel-drive system is available only on the pricier versions. Called torque vectoring AWD, this system not only splits torque up to 50:50 between the front and rear wheels, it also splits power side to side across the rear axle. Sensors monitor vehicle speed, wheel rotation, gear position, steering angle, lateral g forces and yaw rate to determine how much torque should be shifted to the outside rear wheel in corners. This can correct understeer and makes the car feel much flatter in the corners. In total, up to 50% of the engine’s torque can be sent to either rear wheel.

Also part of the handling equation is the steering, which, on the Juke is a speed-sensing electric power- assisted unit. Braking is power-assisted four-wheel discs with ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist. The Juke rides on standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P215/55R17 all-season tires.

Ah, but the Juke isn’t finished with its ode to the sporty driver just yet.

It also features Nissan’s I-CON system (Integrated Control), which offers three different throttle/transmission/steering response settings — Normal for everyday driving, Sport for what Nissan calls an “intense performance feel” and Eco for maximum efficiency. I-CON uses the power of the micro-processor to adjust throttle, transmission and steering feel, creating a driving experience to suit the driver’s mood. Personalization, I think that’s called — certainly it’s a good tag to hang on the Juke, and Nissan for that matter. I gather this shift I’m seeing in company direction is its way of looking to tap into the current mood of “Look at me, I’m unique.” The Juke is certainly that.

The 2011 Nissan Juke Sport Cross is offered in six models and will go on sale in Canada in October.

Pricing starts at $19,998 for the 1.6L Juke and heads north to $26,648.

Navigation and leather packages are also available and can be added to several models.